Timing is everything!

A couple of days after the 4th of July weekend I saw a post on Facebook promoting an anxiety wrap and how great they are for dogs during fireworks...my first thought?

Timing is everything!

When should a store, manufacturer or service provider promote items or services related to the 4th of July? Starting a minimum of two weeks before the holiday (to provide enough time that potential customers can purchase, receive and/or reserve their item or service).

But ideally, it would be much more effective to begin a larger promotion with a giveaway, or contest three to four weeks before the holiday to take full advantage and take great lengths to connect and engage with potential and current customers, and really promote the product or service for increased sales.

Timing is everything...from when you send out your email newsletter, to start and end your promotions, to when you send out a press release...all of these things can be so much more effective if well planned, well thought out, and executed meticulously, effectively and efficiently.

It's the difference between being successful and just plugging along.

Contact us today to help you formulate the most creative and effective promotions for your pet busienss products and services!

Never give up!

Throughout the week, I talk with a lot of my pet business clients.

Some are hopeful, but don't know how to grow their business. And some are discouraged about the lack of progress they are making in either getting their business off the ground or building their business and increasing sales.

I came across a very inspirational article today. It's the story of how the ever popular Kong got it's start. Seems it wasn't an easy start for the Kong Company, by any means. But with a 'never give up' philosophy, perseverance, persistence, and patience - the company is now one of the most successful pet businesses in the World.

Here's an excerpt from the article:

One day in 1970 while (Joe) Markham--a partner in a Yamaha motorcycle shop--was working on a Volkswagen, Fritz (his GSD) picked up an automobile part and came and dropped it on Markham's foot. "The part had a metal bracket and a rubber gizmo that looks pretty close to the Kong we have today," Markham says. Thus, the idea for the modern day Kong was born.

Today, over 50 million Kongs have been sold and you'd be hard pressed to find a doggie household without one.

But at the beginning, Markham had a difficult time getting any pet stores to recognize the Kong's potential in the marketplace. It would take hard work, perseverance, and time before Markham made his first sale in 1976.

You can read more here.

Moral of the story? If you have a product or service that you believe in, pursue it. And don't give up. Success may not happen overnight, it will take a lot of work, determination, time, patience, advice and more - but you can do it!

PR: Pawsible Marketing listed as one of the Top 50 Blogs for Startups to Watch in 2008!

Pawsible Marketing was recently listed on Evan Carmichael's Top 50 Blogs For Startups to Watch in 2008, along with Donald Trump's The Trump Blog, Dosh Dosh, The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss, and many other remarkable blogs.

Evan is an entrepreneur and international speaker. At the age of 19, he became an owner and Chief Operating Officer in Redasoft, a biotechnology software company. The company quickly grew to over 300 organizations as clients, including NASA and Johnson & Johnson, in 30 countries.

He started Evan Carmichael Communications Group and created www.EvanCarmichael.com with the goal to give entrepreneurs the motivation to follow their passion and the strategies they need to succeed. Evan has also delivered over 100 keynote presentations to entrepreneurs in North America, Europe, and Asia; and has been quoted in the New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and other notable publications and television programs.

PR: Pawsible Marketing featured on Working With Pets!

Leslie May, owner of Pawsible Marketing is featured in an interview with Working With Pets on March 5, 2008.

May talks about her business and how she helps pet businesses with their marketing needs. She also discusses what types of marketing Pawsible Marketing offers, why she started her company, how marketing is unique and key to every business, and provides other key advice to pet business owners.

Be sure and check out the article and pick up some good tips to help market your pet business!

Client Testimonials:

December 3, 2007

Leslie May
Pawsible Marketing
Carmel, Indiana

Dear Leslie:

Thanks again for all of the blog guidance you provided me during our phone consultation last week. I've started to work on the things you suggested and, although it is a lot of work, I feel really great about the possibilities.

Also, thanks for being my first "blog friend!" Or should I thank Johann? Anyway, I hope you guys have a wonderful and profitable holiday season. I'll keep in touch and let you know how things are going.

Sincerely,

Colleen Tillger
Owner/Designer
Punk Rock Dogg




March 15, 2008

Leslie May
Pawsible Marketing
Carmel, Indiana

Leslie,

It was a pleasure speaking with you! I wish I had found you sooner! You ROCK! I felt like I was talking to my best friend. I have already started some of your ideas and they are working. I will refer you to anyone I know that needs help boosting their marketing.

Thank you,

Amber
Cactus Critter Sitters




March 29,2009

Leslie May
Pawsible Marketing
Carmel, Indiana

Dear Leslie,

Finding you has been one of the best things that has happened to my business. Speaking with you was like getting great advice from a best friend. You were very professional and honest in your opinions and personal experience.

As you know I have already started doing all the things you have suggested and it has made me feel more enthusiastic about my business. Building wonderful relationships with my customers was just what I needed to dom but I didn’t know how to do until after speaking with you.

Since working with Pawsible Marketing over the past few months my business has nearly tripled and I have made meaningful long lasting relationships with my customers. I never imagined that this would be possiblem but with your help I have achieved this. People are starting to look at me as an expert, as someone who can help them pick out the right things for their pet.

There is no question about who to work with when it comes to marketing your pet business because it definitely should be you! It would be my great pleasure to recommend you to anyone who needs your expertise.

Thanks again,

Salina Gannon
Owner
Supplies Just for Pets



April 16, 2009 (via Twitter)

Love my new twitter background! If you want one designed for your pet biz twitter page I recommend contacting Leslie @PawsibleMktg

Danielle Chonody
Working With Pets




April 17, 2009 (via Twitter)

If you want to market your pet business, talk to this knowledgeable lady@PawsibleMktg. Smart, generous pet biz owner.

Linda Messina
MyGenChan




April 19, 2009 (via Twitter)

Recommend anyone looking to make their Twitter page a reflection of yourself or your business to contact @PawsibleMktg

Mel Freer
Mel's Pet Pals

Tip of the Day: How to Keep Momentum Going for Customers and Employees!

A great article in this mornings New York Times:

How to Keep Momentum Going for Customers and Employees

By MICKEY MEECE
Published: January 3, 2008

It’s the first week of the new year and, small retailers may ask, now what? Don’t fall prey to the January lull, says Joel R. Evans, a marketing professor at the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University and co-author of two books on marketing. He has identified the following ways to jump-start sales and avoid a post-holiday letdown:

1. Run big sales on seasonal merchandise while having prominent displays with fresh (full-priced) merchandise. This will generate store traffic and increase sales.

2. Promote goods and services that complement the gifts your customers just received: installation services, batteries, thank you cards, pet supplies, iTunes cards, DVDs and the like.

3. Provide free coffee and cookies. This will lift shopper and employee morale.

4. Reward the best employees with an extra day off. Give them a button that says “Star Performer.”

5. Empower employees to bend the rules for returns. Consider a distinctive return policy, like 110 percent back on gift items if the customer accepts a store credit rather than a cash or credit card refund. (Limit this to holiday items.)

6. Stay open a little longer than regular hours — the opposite of conventional wisdom — as your competitors close early.

7. Do a mailing (through the post office or e-mail messages) to regular customers. Thank them and offer a special gift or discount for their patronage. There should be ample time for doing this.

8. Run a customer contest or sweepstakes: “We know you’re tired and maybe tapped out. So leave your business card and win a free massage at the local day spa on us — or win a free $50 iTunes gift card on us.”

9. Get ready for coming events: Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day.

10. Devise your own new event: “January is Customer Appreciation Month. Spend $250 in January and get a $35 gift card.”

11. It’s a new year. Be upbeat. There is time now to review the prior year’s results and adjust plans for the new year.

12. Keep the store fully stocked. This will help shopper and employee morale. Don’t make it seem as if a distress sale is going on.

13. Sponsor a school, a team or a park to show a community spirit and get the store name out.

14. Give away some overstocked items to a local shelter or hospital to get the store’s name out. This will also make you and your employees feel good.

15. Advertise — many others won’t. It is a better chance to get recognized.